{"id":101,"date":"2018-01-12T18:22:51","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T18:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/conexion\/introducing-a-new-media-initiative-from-ifes\/"},"modified":"2019-05-20T10:20:39","modified_gmt":"2019-05-20T10:20:39","slug":"introducing-a-new-media-initiative-from-ifes","status":"publish","type":"conexion","link":"https:\/\/ifesworld.org\/en\/blog\/introducing-a-new-media-initiative-from-ifes\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing a new media initiative from IFES"},"content":{"rendered":"

Films for the open-minded<\/h4>\n

Social media is making our cultures more visual and changing the way we think. Instagram\u200a\u2014\u200aa platform centred on original visual content\u200a\u2014\u200anow boasts over 800 million users, the majority of whom are under 30 years old. This trend will only increase as today\u2019s students go on to graduate and continue to transform our communication landscape and technologies.<\/p>\n

There was no Instagram when Jesus stilled the storm. There are no photos of the delightful paradise of Eden. All we have are words\u200a\u2014\u200abeautiful poetry, personal letters, carefully-crafted stories and historical accounts of God at work in this world.<\/p>\n

Christians have been hard at work translating these words for hundreds of years. It was no accident that the New Testament was written in Greek\u200a\u2014\u200athe writers wanted it to be accessible to as many people as possible at that moment in history. So how can we translate God\u2019s great story and use visual media to help introduce people to Jesus?<\/p>\n

The Open Project<\/em><\/a> from IFES is a new attempt to do this. It aims to use compelling visual content and today\u2019s digital tools to open up the Bible to open-minded people, particularly students. The first project is a film. It does have words in it, but only twelve\u2026<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n
<\/figure>\n

Presenting the Bible Story in 12\u00a0Words<\/h3>\n

12 Words<\/em> is a new film project that describes some important parts of the Bible story using just twelve words, supported by an abstract story set in the modern day. Each word is carefully chosen to connect with ordinary life experiences, and is supported by an introductory Bible study.<\/p>\n

The words are not Christian jargon, and on their own won\u2019t comprehensively explain Christian belief. But they are a good way to open questions and step into the story. And for Christians watching, there are questions too. What do these words correspond to? What words would you have used instead?<\/p>\n

Use this project to open the Bible with your\u00a0friends<\/h3>\n

The full film is due to launch on Easter Sunday\u200a\u2014\u200a1 April 2018\u200a\u2014\u200abut each week, one new word will be released as a short question video, alongside a Bible study.<\/p>\n

The gospel is not an abstract truth\u200a\u2014\u200ait needs Jesus\u2019 followers to witness to it\u200a\u2014\u200aand social media is most useful when it connects real people. Have a look at the 12 Words project. If you like what you see and think it would connect with your friends, then please share it and engage with it on whatever platform you\u2019re using.<\/p>\n

For the latest content, follow The Open Project on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> or Vimeo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Start here:<\/a><\/h3>\n